US investigative team begins work to unravel cause of market fires

A team of forensic investigators from the United States, invited by government to help unravel the mystery surrounding the persistent fire outbreaks at major markets in the capital, Accra, has commenced work.

The investigators, who arrived in the country Tuesday, have already had briefing from local investigators.

Deputy Information and Media Relations Minister, Murtala Mohammed, told journalists at the Flagstaff House on Wednesday that, local investigators will partner the US team to speed up the investigation process.

Five market centres: Agbogbloshie, Makola, Kantamanto, Madina, and Dome, all in the Greater Accra Region, have suffered devastating fire outbreaks which destroyed property worth millions of Cedis. The Kumasi Central market in the Ashanti Region is the sixth to suffer a similar fate.

Government has said it suspect arson and has invited the forensic experts from the US to investigate the cause of the fires.

Mr. Murtala Mohammed was, however, unable to tell where the investigations will begin and what time frame the investigators have to complete their work.

In a related development, government has promised relief packages for all victims of the fires.

According to Murtala Mohammed, all traders who lost their wares in the fires will be duly compensated by government.